Field Reports: Chukar Challenge event for all gun dog breeds

HUNTING – The annual hunting dog event that pits flushers against pointers is set for Saturday, June 10, hosted by the Spokane Bird Dog Association. It’s all in the name of good times, good-natured competition and another way to train dogs, said event organizer Dan Hoke.

The fun hunt will be held at the club’s Espanola training grounds near Medical Lake.

The event challenges hunters and dogs, regardless of breed, to be the fastest to find and shoot two planted birds in 15-minute rounds.

Dogs with the eight fastest times will be paired for a second round to determine the winner.

Handlers can use check cords, e-collars and even a buddy handler in the first round, but no training aids will be allowed in the finals.

The pairing is random, so a flushing springer could be paired with a pointing setter. A Lab could run with a shorthair.

“We couldn’t get chukars this year, so we’re using quail,” Hoke said.

Some prizes may be involved, but the winner shoots for pickles. A gallon of them.

Entries for the 30-dog field close on June 5 at 7 p.m. Entry is $50. Contact Hoke, dhoke@dunfur.com or call Doug Koenig, (509) 850-1839.

Bumble bees focus of program

BUGS – “Washington’s Humble Bumbles,” a program by David Jennings, will be presented for the Washington Butterfly Association meeting on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. at the Downtown Public Library, Room 1A, 906 W. Main St.

Water to Wine supports Spokane River

RIVERS – Water to Wine, the annual event to support Spokane River improvements for anglers, rafters, paddlers and other users is set for Friday from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at Chateau River in the Flour Mill basement, 621 W. Mallon Ave.

The funds are used to establish access to the river, says co-host Sean Visintainer of Silver Bow Fly Shop.

Proceeds from the event this year will be dedicated to building a boat slide access at Glover Field in Peaceful Valley for river access downstream of the falls and into the Spokane River Gorge.

A new access at Glover would tie in well with the recently revamped takeout downstream at the Treatment Plant, he said.

The fundraising event will include auction items such as a Winston fly rod, guided trips and more. Appetizers and drinks will be available as well as live music from the The Cronkites.

Cost: $75. Tickets are available online at spokaneriver.net and will also be sold at the door.

Walleye Tournament at Banks Lake

FISHING – Anglers will compete for thousands of dollars in prizes at the Gordon Steinmetz Memorial Spring Walleye Classic at Banks Lake on May 20-21, presented by the Spokane Walleye Club and Valley Marine of Yakima.

Boats will launch from Coulee Playland in Electric City.

Info: spokanewalleyeclub.com.

Rainier climber fell without ice ax in hand

FATALITIES – Rescuers who had come to a man’s aid after he tumbled down Mount Hood in Oregon say he had not been using an ice ax.

Witnesses heard 32-year-old John Thorton Jenkins say, “I should have had my ice ax in my hand,” shortly after he tumbled about 600 feet down the slope. He had been pronounced dead Sunday after an Oregon Army National Guard Black Hawk helicopter brought him to a Portland hospital.

Rescuers believe Jenkins had been hiking with trekking poles, but are not sure if he had been climbing up or down when he fell.

Portland Mountain Rescue leader Steve Rollins says conditions had been good at the time, but the area Jenkins tumbled from was icy.